Cover for switch boxes



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I ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

UNITED. STATES RALPH WEBDEN, OF TRINIDAD, COLORADO.

COVER FOR SWITCH BOXES.

Application filed March 1, 1926. Serial No. 91,512.

My invention relates to improvements in covers for switch boxes, and 1t consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrange-.

ments herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a cover which may be applied to any externally operated switch ox, allowing the box, conduits, and wires to be placed with in a wall, and the outer surfaces of the cover to 1be flush with the outer surface of the we 1. I

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which can be removed when desired.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invent-ion is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device, 1

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device as applied to a wall, and

Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of a switch box 1 having slots 1' therein. A conduit 2 is secured to the switch box. The switch box is disposed within a wall 3. A switch 4, operated by a lever 5, is disposed within the box 1. Conductors 6, which pass' through the conduit 2, are secured to the switch 4.

I make use of a cover consisting of a frame 8 having an opening 9 therein. The frame 8 has bentportions forming a ledge 10 around the opening 9, as shown in Figure 3. A door 11 is mounted upon the frame 8 by means of hinges 12. The door 11 conforms to the ledge 10 of the frame 8 and is adapted to be received thereon. The door 11 is provided with a catch 13, a portion thereof being adapted to pass bemaath the frame 8 and hold the door in closed position. The frame 8 has an enlarged portion 14 in which an elongated slot 15 is cut. The means for securing the frame to the box consists of integral strips 16.

From the foregoingdescription of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. a The cover 7 can be applied to any switch box, such as that shown in Figure 2, by cutting the strips 16 to a desired length, passing the ends thereof through the slots 1', and crimping them in place. The lever 5 projects through the elongated slot 15. The switch box 1 containing the switch 4 may then be placed within the wall 3 in such a manner that the outer surface of the cover 7 will be in alignment with the surface of the wall 3.

The switches of the type shown in Figure 2 are generally called entrance switches. By the word entrance, I 'mean where the source of current enters the building. It is necessary that switches of this type, together with their conduits, be placed upon the outside of the wall, in order that they may be operated. The cover can be placed upon a switch box of any desired size, allowing the box to be placed within the wall and the switch to be operated externally. The door 11 permits any one to gain access to the inner portion of the box, or the switch 4. Upon the enlarged portion 14: of the frame 8, I have shown the word ofi above the elongated slot 15, and the word on below the elongated slot 15, for indicating when the switch is closed or open.

I claim:

1. The combination with a switch box having a lever-operated switch disposed therein, of a cover for said switch box, said cover comprising a frame, a door secured to said frame, means for securing said cover to said switch box, said frame having an opening therein for the lever to project therethrough, whereby the switch may be operated externally when the switch box is placed within a wall.

2. The combination with switch box having a switch therein and a lever for actuating said switch, of a cover for said switch box comprising a frame having an enlarged portion, an inwardly extend ng ledge, means integral with said ledge for securing said cover to said box, said onlarged portion having an elongated slot therein for receiving said lever and permitting said lever to be actuated externally, and a door secured to said frame and adapted to bear against said ledge when in closed position, whereby the outer surfaces of saidv frame and said door will be in alignment with the outer surface of a wall when said switch box and said frame are disposed therein.

RALPH WERDEN. 

